The Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to 50-Hz and 3 mT Electromagnetic Field on Rat Testicular Development.

Background and objectives: It has been shown that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have negative effects on the reproductive system. The biological effects of EMF on the male reproductive system are controversial and vary depending on the frequency and exposure time. Although a limited number of studies have focused on the structural and functional effects of EMF, the effects of prenatal and postnatal EMF exposure on testes are not clear. We aimed to investigate the effects of 50-Hz, 3-mT EMF exposure (5 days/wk, 4 h/day) during pre- and postnatal periods on testis development. Materials and Methods: Pups from three groups of Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were used: Sham, EMF-28 (EMF-exposure applied during pregnancy and until postnatal day 28), EMF-42 (EMF-exposure applied during pregnancy and until postnatal day 42). The testis tissues and blood samples of male offspring were collected on the postnatal day 42. Results: Morphometric analyses showed a decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter as a result of testicular degeneration in the EMF-42 group. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were decreased in the EMF-42 group. Lipid peroxidation levels were increased in both EMF groups, while antioxidant levels were decreased only in the EMF-28 group. We found decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) in the EMF-42 group, and decreased levels of the SRC homology 3 (SH3) and multiple ankyrin repeat domain (SHANK3) in the EMF-28 group in the testis tissue. Conclusions: EMF exposure during pre- and postnatal periods may cause deterioration in the structure and function of testis and decrease in growing factors that would affect testicular functions in male rat pups. In addition to the oxidative stress observed in testis, decreased SHANK3, VEGF, and IGF1 protein levels suggests that these proteins may be mediators in testis affected by EMF exposure. This study shows that EMF exposure during embryonic development and adolescence can cause apoptosis and structural changes in the testis.

The effects of Spirulina platensis on behavior in adolescent rats fed a high-fat diet.

In recent years, childhood overweight and obesity have become a universal public health problem. Obesity may lead to cognitive disorders, depression and anxiety by affecting neuronal processes. Spirulina platensis (SP), a species of microalgae from the Chlorophyceae green algae class, has neuroprotective effects and may reduce body weight. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of SP on behavior alongside the role of leptin and Sirtuin-1 in fed with high-fat diet (HFD) adolescent rats. Four-week-old Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into four groups: control, HFD, HFD + SP150 (150 mg/kg/day SP, orally), HFD + SP450 (450 mg/kg/day SP, orally). Rats except for the control group exposed to 60% HFD along 12 weeks. Last 6 weeks SP or vehicle administered. After the behavioral tests, leptin and Sirtuin-1 levels in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus regions were evaluated. SP150 significantly reduced body weight compared with HFD group. The time spent in the center of open field increased significantly in SP150-treated rats compared with HFD. SP150 and SP450 significantly decreased immobility time in forced swim test compared with HFD. Leptin levels in HFD group were significantly lower in prefrontal cortex compared to control group. Leptin levels of the HFD + SP450 group were significantly higher than HFD group in the hippocampus. There was no significant difference between groups in Sirtuin-1 levels. In conclusion, SP supplementation in adolescence period might positively affect chronic high fat-induced anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior by partially affecting brain leptin levels and without affecting Sirtuin-1 levels.

The effects of bee venom on behavior and the role of leptin in rats.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the dose­dependent effect of bee venom (BV) on behavioral functions in rats and the physiological role of leptin in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala tissues. Adult Sprague­Dawley male rats were used in the experiments. The rats were divided into three groups of control, 0.1 mg/kg BV, and 0.5 mg/kg BV. The rats were injected with BV subcutaneously for 15 consecutive days. The open field test (OFT), the elevated plus maze test (EPM), and the forced swimming test (FST) were performed as behavioral assessments. Animals were sacrificed, and brain regions were removed. Leptin levels were measured in various brain regions by ELISA. In the OFT, the total distance and speed for the 0.1 mg/kg BV group increased compared to controls and the 0.5 mg/kg BV group. In the EPM, the 0.1 mg/kg BV group remained in the open arm for a significantly longer period of time compared to the other groups. In the FST, the 0.5 mg/kg BV group was more mobile than the other groups. Leptin levels in the prefrontal cortex were significantly higher in the 0.1 mg/kg BV group compared to the control and 0.5 mg/kg groups. There were no significant differences between groups in hippocampus and amygdala leptin levels. The results of the study show that BV has a positive effect on behavioral parameters. BV may have a positive effect on anxiety­ and depression­like behaviors by increasing leptin levels in the prefrontal cortex.

Multiorgan dysfunction accompanied with metimazole and thyroid storm.

A 41-year-old man with a history of hyperthyroidism had been treated with methimazole and propranolol for the past 2 months. He developed multiorgan dysfunction with acute liver failure, severe lactic acidosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, heart failure and acute pulmonary edema with rapid deterioration of renal function. The patient had no history of alcoholism, drug abuse, blood transfusion, or exposure to hepatitis A, B, or C. Extrahepatic obstruction was ruled out with an abdominal ultrasonogram. Serologic studies and immunologic tests were negative. This case illustrates the sudden and abrupt deterioration of multiorgan dysfunction due to antithyroid drug administration and thyroid storm. The thyroid storm score of Burch and Wartofsky was 90/140. The multiorgan dysfunction was reversed by discontinuation of the methimazole and treat with hemodialysis, steroids, cholestyramine, nonselective beta-blocker, fresh frozen plasma infusion and supportive management in the intensive care unit. The patient was discharged from the hospital with normal coagulation parameters, renal and liver function tests.

An overview of the currency and usefulness of behavioral tests used from past to present to assess anxiety, social behavior and depression in rats and mice.

Various tests have been developed to evaluate behavior in animal studies where rodents are used as animal models. These tests are useful for understanding the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and examining potential treatments for these disorders. The use of behavioral tests is becoming popular day by day, and studies to improve and develop these tests are still ongoing. It is very important to select the appropriate test, consider the factors that may affect the experimental design, and use different tests that will support each other when necessary. In this review, we aimed to provide researchers an overview of the currency, usefulness, and frequency of use of various behavioral tests used from past to present in the evaluation of anxiety-like behavior, depression-like behavior, and social behavior in rodents.

The effect of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents.

Background: Sleep quality plays a principal role in the protection of health. There is an increasing number of studies in the literature demonstrating that internet addiction and smartphone addiction impair sleep quality. However, the number of studies on Turkish adolescents is very limited. Therefore, this study examined the effects of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were 910 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Data were collected with the Short Internet Addiction Test, Smartphone Addiction Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, a questionnaire was used to gather information about the demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics. Pearson's Chi-square test, Chi-square test for trend, Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis, and Spearman's correlation analysis were used in the analysis. Results: The sleep quality of 58.7% of the adolescents was poor. Additionally, girls and adolescents ≥16 years old had poor sleep quality. Sleep quality deteriorated as perceived health status and perceived economic status of family deteriorated. Compared to participants with normal internet addiction scores, poor sleep quality was 1.83 (95% CI [1.22-2.74]) times higher in those with problematic internet addiction and 1.99 (95% CI [1.23-3.87]) times higher in those with pathological internet addiction. One point increase in Smartphone Addiction Scale total score increased poor sleep quality 1.01 (95% CI [1.00-1.02]) times. Sleep quality scale were positively correlated with the smartphone addiction and internet addiction. However, there was no positive correlation between habitual sleep efficiency subcomponent of sleep quality and smartphone addiction and internet addiction. Conclusions: Internet addiction and smartphone addiction were associated with poor sleep quality in adolescents. Older adolescents (≥16 years), gender (female), poor health perception, and perception of moderate economic status of the family were other factors associated with poor sleep quality.

Gender differences in effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to electromagnetic field and prenatal zinc on behaviour and synaptic proteins in rats.

Humans are exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from various sources throughout life. Because humans are easily impacted by environmental factors during early development, it is believed that EMF can cause structural and functional changes on the developing brain that may lead to behavioural changes. This paper investigates the impact of EMF exposure and zinc supplementation during the prenatal and postnatal periods on behavioural changes and synaptic proteins in a gender-dependent manner. Pups from four groups of pregnant rats were used: Sham, EMF (5 days/wk, 4 h/day EMF-exposure applied), Sham+Zinc (5 days/wk, 5 mg/kg/day zinc applied) and EMF+Zinc (5 days/wk, 4 h/day EMF-exposure and 5 mg/kg/day zinc applied). EMF exposure and zinc supplementation were initiated from the first day of pregnancy to the 42nd postnatal day. Zinc levels in blood, NLGN3 and SHANK3 levels in hippocampus and amygdala, and synaptic structures in amygdala were examined. Behavioural tests showed that EMF exposure had no effect on social behaviour, but adversely affected activity and exploratory behaviour, and led to increased anxiety formation. Zinc supplementation had a partially positive effect on female, but not male offspring. SHANK3 and NLGN3 proteins were significantly lower in EMF groups, however, no positive effect of zinc supplementation was found. In conclusion, EMF exposure may alter the levels of synaptic proteins in the developing brain, leading to behavioural changes in a gender-dependent manner. Evaluation of zinc supplementation at different doses could be beneficial to prevent or reduce the behavioural and structural effects of EMF.

The effects of bee venom on liver and skeletal muscle in exhaustive swimming rats.

Oxidative damage and proinflammatory cytokines are involved in exhaustive exercise-induced fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bee venom, a natural toxin, on fatigue and tissue damage in rats that underwent forced swimming exercise. Rats were divided into four groups: control, swimming exercise (SE), bee venom (BV) and swimming exercise + bee venom (SE + BV). SE and SE + BV groups were subjected to forced swimming (load of 7% body weight) for 5 days. BV and SE + BV groups were injected with 1 mg/kg BV subcutaneously. Swimming time, blood lactate and TNF-α levels, MDA and GSH levels in liver and gastrocnemius muscle were evaluated. Swimming time was shorter in SE + BV group than SE group. There was no difference in lactate levels between SE and SE + BV groups. MDA and GSH levels were increased in SE, BV and SE + BV groups. TNF-α levels were increased in BV group compared to control and SE groups. Our study demonstrated that BV administration before exhaustive exercise in rats did not provide anti-fatigue effect. Additionally, BV did not show anti-inflammatory activity and had different effects on antioxidant capacity at tissue level. Further research might explore the effects of different doses and durations of BV on exhaustive exercise.

How important is the damage to the liver after lower limb ischemia-reperfusion? An experimental study in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of lower extremity ischemia reperfusion on the liver and the effect of ischemiareperfusion on the liver itself in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups including 10 in each group: sham (Group 1), lower limb ischemia-reperfusion (Group 2), and liver ischemia-reperfusion (Group 3). In Group 2, one hour of left lower limb ischemia was performed. In Group 3, one hour of ischemia in the liver was performed, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. After reperfusion, the liver tissues were removed, and the groups were evaluated biochemically and histologically. RESULTS: The liver malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in Groups 2 and 3 than in the sham group (p<0.001). In Group 2, the malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher than in Group 3 (p=0.019). The glutathione levels in the liver were significantly lower in Groups 2 and 3 than in the sham group (p<0.001). However, the glutathione levels were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.005). In the histological evaluation, although the liver damage score was higher in Group 3 than in Group 2 (p=0.015), there was no significant difference between the two groups in TUNEL(+) cell number (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Reperfusion injury in the liver after lower limb ischemiareperfusion is as important as ischemia-reperfusion injury which is specifically induced in the liver. This should be taken into account, particularly in reperfusion surgeries following vascular trauma or in cases of leg tourniquets to stop bleeding after lower limb vascular trauma.